Around the Farm (ATF) takes a quick look at some of the daily performances by Indians prospects. This is a special fall and winter ball version of ATF that recaps all the offseason action by Indians players in offseason winter ball leagues. The positions listed below are where the player was playing in the game.

Note: There were no games scheduled in the Dominican Winter League on Saturday.

Australian Baseball League

Ryan Battaglia (C, Brisbane Bandits): 0-for-3, BB. Battaglia has now played in 14 games and still has yet to record a multi-hit game and is hitting .205 with 4 HR, 8 RBI and .909 OPS. His OPS is helped by 10 walks and 7 of his 9 hits going for extra bases, though he has 17 strikeouts in 44 at bats.

Marcus Bradley (PR, Brisbane Bandits): 0-for-0. Bradley is a former Indians farmhand who was released in the spring who is hanging onto his pro career. He did not play affiliate ball this season and is out in Australia trying to make a name for himself, but so far has had limited opportunities piling up just 15 at bats (3-for-15) with 6 walks and 3 strikeouts in 8 games played.

Puerto Rico Winter League

Carlos Moncrief (RF, Gigantes de Carolina): 0-for-5, 2 K, A. Moncrief’s string of three straight multi-hit games came to a crashing halt with this rough effort. He’s been better of late, but overall he has really had his struggles in winter ball amassing 27 strikeouts (just 3 walks) in 85 at bats. A 9:1 strikeout to walk ratio is very poor and hurts some of the great momentum he built with a very strong season at Double-A Akron this year.

Tyler Sturdevant (RP, Criollos de Caguas): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K. Look what the cat dragged in to Puerto Rico. Sturdevant is getting some additional winter ball work, something that was expected when he made a late season showing in the Arizona Fall League. He is finally healthy after offseason shoulder surgery last year and it is interesting how the Indians are even allowing him to pitch with the Rule 5 Draft less than a week away. He has the power stuff which could interest a team, especially if they like what they see in Puerto Rico. I'm not sure I understand the timing of this assignment, but that’s just me probably overthinking it since he is probably a long shot Rule 5 guy anyway.

Venezuela Winter League

Jesus Aguilar (1B, Leones del Caracas): 1-for-3, R, HR, 3 RBI, K. Aguilar ripped his third homer in five games and is now hitting .308 with 14 HR, 40 RBI and .948 OPS in 43 games this offseason. What an outstanding showing by him and one that easily is much, much more impressive than the 105-RBI showing at Double-A Akron this year. By far.

Toru Murata (SP, Caribes de Anzoategui): 3.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 2 K. Murata made his second start of the offseason and had another good outing. He allowed an unearned run and has yet to allow an earned run in 7.1 innings.

J.C. Ramirez (RP, Tiburones de La Guaira): 0.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R (1 ER), 1 BB. Ramirez was a minor league free agent pickup signed by the Indians last month. He just started pitching winter ball and this was not his finest outing as he allowed all three men he faced to reach base before he was pulled. He’s now appeared in two total games (other was on Dec 5th) and allowed 4 hits, 4 runs (2 ER) and 2 walks in 1.0 innings.

User Comments

Tony

December 8, 2013 - 12:31 PM EST

I think there is a good chance both Ronny Rodriguez and Jose Ramirez are at Columbus to start. Definitely Ramirez, unless the Indians trade one of Aviles-Cabrera. I have some news on Ramirez though that may affect his season....will share that in Happenings tomorrow.

Dennis

December 8, 2013 - 12:25 PM EST

Just looked at the depth chart. Looks like we need a 2nd basemen at AAA. Hope it will be filled by minor league free agent. Have you heard any rumors? Hate to see a prospect pushed to soon. Is Rodriquez ready to move up? What about Gonzalez to AA? See the the domino effect at some point someone is being pushed or you have to use your minor league fill.

Tony

December 8, 2013 - 9:46 AM EST

Yep, typo on my part. Fixed.

Sturdevant does not have the prospect pedigree Rondon had going into the Rule 5 Draft.....so not sure they compare. Although, Sturdevant is a guy who two years ago clubs liked as a power armed ML pen arm. Will be interesting to see if he gets any interest in Rule 5.

Walter

December 8, 2013 - 9:23 AM EST

Will Sturdevant be the Rondon of last year by being selected this week in Rule 5 Draft?